Well…the epic snowfall of this past winter is finally a memory, each day the temperatures are getting warmer and FINALLY it is time to get some long-awaited gardening done. Whether I am looking for annual bedding plants, perennials or baskets; the Atlantic Superstore Flower Market is usually my first stop. For me, it is only a 5-minute drive and I love the selection of locally farmed plants, as well as their reasonable pricing. On a recent trip to the Superstore flower market, I picked up three beautiful hanging baskets. I don’t have a place to actually hang them, my intent was to move them to three planters, located at the front of our house.
I have done this many times in the past and have always found it an expertly designed and inexpensive way to get a gorgeous planter. If you want to find out how I did this, you can visit my, A Trip to the Atlantic Superstore Flower Market! post from last spring where you will find the instructions.
One of my planters, isn’t it pretty?
I also buy smaller pots of herbs and replant them into my own large pot. I use it all summer and then dry most of the herbs and use them in the winter.
This year, while reading through my PC Garden Guide and browsing the garden centre I noticed there are some new and exciting things happening. For instance, they now have new tags for easy planning. All of the growers are now using the same plant tag format, so it’s easier to find plants that will work best in your garden. You just use the symbols:
- Full Sun
- Partial Shade
- Shade
…to make the right choice for your specific garden area.
This pic is actually from the President’s Choice Garden 2014 Insiders Report. I did have some of the real tags, but when I went to get them, my hubby had taken them to the recycling centre. My bad, that’s what I get for procrastinating with my photographs…lol.
“Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned pro, our garden experts are always looking for new and innovative ways to get our customers excited about gardening.This year, we’ve dug up the hottest trends and brought unbelievable new and exclusive products to our Garden Centres. They’re sure to bring excitement and colourful flare to Canadian gardens.”- Peter Cantley, Vice-President, Floral and Garden, Loblaw Companies Limited
Be sure to check out my interview Peter Cantley as well as my post describing my trip to Brookdale Treeland Nurseries Limited. They are the supplier of tropical plants, perennials, evergreens, trees and shrubs found in the Atlantic Superstore Flower Market.
WHAT’S NEW in the Atlantic Superstore Flower Market ~
Compact Royal Magenta is the latest introduction to the SunPatiens family.
Don’t let the “compact” reference fool you into thinking this is a small and diminutive plant. It’s robust habit will produce plants 16 to 20” tall and over 16” wide.
It features outstanding garden performance in both sun and shade conditions and will produce flowers continuously from Spring thru Fall with almost no maintenance. Strong roots are quick to take hold after transplanting and plants are unaffected by Downy Mildew (which can be devastating to other Impatiens).
Black Petunia
Last year, horticulturists grew the world’s first-ever black petunia and Loblaw garden experts were captivated by its beauty. This year, they’re excited to introduce the Farmer’s Market™ Black Velvet Petunia.
Gardeners have been waiting for black blooms forever because the colour combinations are endless. Lush and velvety, this is a vigorous plant that will add instant drama to your garden. And of course, black goes with everything!
Mighty ‘Mato Like superheroes, Mighty ‘Mato grafted tomatoes are stronger, faster, more able to fend off foes than regular tomato plants – and their harvests are bigger! Mighty ‘Mato goes above and beyond the call of duty, defending against pests, diseases, temperature extremes, and poor soils while producing long, abundant harvests of tasty fruit! The Mighty ‘Mato line-up includes twelve heirloom and four hybrid varieties that will be joined by grafted peppers and eggplant, all to bring big, wholesome harvests to your garden.
WHAT’S HOT in the Atlantic Superstore Flower Market~
Argyranthemum (Argyranthemum frutescens)
Features – This old-fashioned favorite is sure to attract attention. Feathery foliage compliments a non-stop display of colorful daisies. Adds a touch of class to any garden planting.
Uses – Wonderful for mixed borders and rock gardens. Perfect for all kinds of containers. Cut flowers are long-lasting in fresh bouquets.
Feather Reed Grass (Calamagrostis species)
Features – Reed grasses are rugged, cool season grasses. They are incredibly carefree and even grow well in challenging clay soils. Species are available in a variety of colors from green to variegated forms, but they all produce tidy clumps of foliage.
Uses – Great in mixed borders, along fences and foundations, or grouped with other grasses for a natural effect. The graceful lines add interest to the winter landscape so don’t worry about cutting back until spring. Birds will appreciate the dry foliage for use in nests.
African Lily (Agapanthus Hybrid)
Features – Native to South Africa, Agapanthus bring eye-catching, architectural style to the garden. Clumps of glossy, grass-like foliage provide the backdrop for striking bloom clusters perched atop sturdy stems.
Uses – Ideal choice for beds, borders, and cutting gardens. Nice for larger patio containers. Excellent for planting along fences and walls. Provides long-lasting cut flowers.
I hope you get out into your garden, plant some pretty flowers, trees or shrubs and maybe even create a beautiful container of annuals or herbs.
Now for a fun giveaway! President’s Choice is giving one reader of OMSY a $50.00 Gift Card so you can head to your Atlantic Superstore Flower Market to help get your garden in shape!
DATES: Closes June 27, 2014 @ 11:59PM AST
ELIGIBILITY: Open to residents of Canada
TO ENTER: Using the Giveaway Tools form below, simply follow the instructions, complete the mandatory entry, (which unlocks the optional entries), plus any or all the optional entries for your chance to win this great prize!
All entries must be received by 11:59pm EST on June 27, 2014. The winner will be chosen by Random.org. I will notify the winner on or after June 28, 2014 via email (please respond within 48 hours) If you do not respond within the allotted time, another winner will be chosen. One per household and IP address. No purchase is necessary to enter. Must be 18 to enter. Void where prohibited by law. The odds of winning are based on the number of entries received.
I like the African Lily!
I liked the beginner how to create a shady retreat, it tells you exactly what you need.
I like their recipe section, especially the Potato Leek Soup
I learned what grafted tomatoes are
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I think I need some argyranthemums!
I liked the herbs for weight loss
I liked the plant finder section. Often I know what a plant or flower looks like but dont know what it is called to go get it so that is really handy where you can see all the photos of the plants and it tells you all about them
I love the herbs you can use to help with weight loss
They have tips for herb use.
I learned about grafted tomatoes!
I really like that they have recipes and that cucumber salad is one I think ill try
I learned for Dried herbs – use 1/3 as much as fresh, as flavor is more concentrated
I like the information about herbs and that you don’t need to use as much dried as you do fresh.
I like the Garden DIY post on Mixed Succulent Containers. I see a lot of these flowers in my neighbourhood, and like how low maintenance they seem.
I like that they have a recipe section with vegetable ideas – the Marinated Cherry Tomato Salad looks amazing
I learned that they have a horticultural heritage that makes My PC Garden unique.
I learned that herbs help reduce calorie intake by assuring that food tastes great without a heavy sauce or dressing.
I liked the herb tips
The plant finder section was a big help!
I found a lot of helpful information, bookmarked the page for future use. Thanks!
I like the Trailing Pansy.
They have lots of gardening trends, information and ideas.
I liked the article about Herbs for Weight loss
I read about the grafting of Tomatoes, which I thought was quite interesting!
I like the article on Herbs for Weight Loss and would love to get some to grow on our balcony. Cilantro and Basil are two of my favorites.
i like that they have the plant finder
I learned that the black petunia varieties are available in stores next Spring!
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I really didn’t know that there were Herbs for Weight loss
I found the ‘How To Create a Shady Retreat Garden’ very interesting and informative!
i love the plant finder section
I learned what grafted tomatoes are, and not to plant them so the graft line on the stem is below ground.
I learned that Herbs are an inexpensive and easy to use assist for those looking to lose weight or just eat healthier.
I enjoyed the Herbs for weigh loss article.
I learned that herbs are good for weight loss. Perfect for me in trying to lose baby weight!
Black Petunia is cool
I love the Feather Reed Grass – this is something even my black thumb cant mess up and it looks so pretty
I like the Plant Finder, the choices it brings up after you search all have pictures, which is great.
The herbs for weight loss was great ! also I didn’t know to use less dried herbs :)
I like the herbs for weight loss article!
I learned that people have been grafting tomatoes means having the root system of one variety melde to the top,fruit portion of another variety.
I like the article on herbs for weight loss
I learned about grafted tomatoes
I like the plant finder and recipe section!!
tips on how to create a perfect garden
I like how you search for plants for full sun, partial sun and shade
You can search for specific plants so you can find what you need.
Radishes please.
I can look up my new flowers and make sure I am looking after them properly. NICE! Considering I lost the packages and it’s my first ‘garden’ attempt!! lol
I liked that they have a garden DIY section, that also has recipes.
thanks
I didn’t realize that one could add herbs to salads. It seems like such a simple and necessary item or items to add to the flavor to the meal.
I really like the Flower Arrangements & Combinations video under the Resources section.
I liked the plant finder tab where I could learn more about plants and get specific information about planting them in shade/sun, plant height and space etc.
I like the Grafted Tomatoes article
Yum Yum to cucumber salad!!
I love the recipe section. The cherry tomato salad looks sooooooo good.
I like that there is a section called: plant finder.
I liked the Herbs for Weight loss article.
I found the article on Herbs for Weight Loss interesting.
As a someone who is planning on starting a vegetable garden without any knowledge of what I want to grow, the Plant Finder was an excellent tool. It tells me everything I need to know, instructions, etc. Awesome!
I love the plant finder section.
I like the African Lily!
I like how there’s lots of tips! Like How to create a shady retreat garden, which we totally need since our garden gets a lot of sun.
I loved learning about all the herbs for weight loss
I like the DIY section – lots to learn there.
I like how to create a shady retreat.
I liked the Art in the Garden piece. The picture caught my eye. There was a lot of great information in the DIY section.
I liked that they have a plant finder and you can search by how much sun/what season/ or colour. What a neat resource.
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I learned that African Lilys are beautiful!!
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I looooove the plant finder. Its impossible to remember all the sun/shade requirements for plants and going through each of the little tags on the plants in the store is such a pain. I can make a list and bring it with me!
I learned that herbs not only help food taste better, but it can also help with weight loss.
I learned that you can create a shady garden retreat in 2 hours. So basically, gardening can be for anyone!
I have never heard of Dale Chihuly before, but his garden artwork would be lovely to see.
Avoid fast growing groundcovers
I like the recipe section because I’m always looking for tasty recipes using seasonal ingredients!
I loved the Herbs For Weight Loss article! Thanks!
I love the Plant Finder Section.
I liked the Herbs for Weight loss article
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I thought the herbs for weight loss was very interesting